Multimedia artist and animator essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $61,370
- 2012, number of jobs: 29,270
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 8 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Multimedia artists and animators; what they do:
If creating visual effects for movies, televisions, mobile devices, and other media forms sounds just as fun as watching them, you may enjoy an animation career or a multimedia artist career.
Multimedia artists and animators utilize pen and paper and computer programs to create illustrations. Some companies have their own computer animation software an animator or multimedia artist must learn to use upon hire.
Multimedia artist careers and animator careers typically involve working as part of a larger team of animators and artists, all working on creating the same movie, show, game, or program. Multimedia artists and animators also work directly with clients, head animators, games designers, and directors.
Multimedia artist careers and animator careers include mapping out storylines and making adjustments as needed based on deadlines and feedback from directors, game designers, head animators, or clients.
It’s common for multimedia artists and animators to not only specialize in a specific field, such as animated movies or video games, but to further specialize within that field, such as designing only characters or scenery.
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Multimedia artists and animators job titles:
- Flash Animator
- Creative Director
- Art Director
- Artist
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- 3D Artist
- 3D Animator
- Animation Director
Multimedia Artist and Animator Education, Certification and License Requirements
A multimedia artist career or animator career may begin with a Bachelor of Computer Graphics, Art or Animation degree or a degree from a related field.
Individuals wishing to enter a multimedia artist career or animator career should put together a professional portfolio showcasing a variety of their best work. A strong portfolio can sometimes get an aspiring multimedia artist or animator a job in the industry even without a degree.
Multimedia artists and animators may also receive on-the-job training to learn how to use a company-specific animation software.
Multimedia artist and animator programs cover subjects such as:
- Programming
- Graphics
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Animation
- Film
- Interactive Media
- Game design
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Multimedia artists and animators don’t need specific licenses or certifications.
Multimedia Artists and Animators Job Outlook
Forecast: Eight percent employment growth from 2010 to 2020 for multimedia artists and animators, slower than average for all occupations.
The increased demand for animation and visual effects in everything from video games and cell phones, to television shows and movies increases the demand for multimedia artists and animators. However, companies outsourcing the work to overseas animators negatively impact employment growth.
Multimedia Artists and Animators Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $61,370
- 2012, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $85,410
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $45,640
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Major Employers
- Motion picture and video industries
- Software publishers
- Computer systems design and related services
- Advertising, public relations, and related services
